Myanimelist Rating: 6.71
Aired: Jul 8, 2024 to Sep 16, 2024
Animation Studio: EMT Squared
Source: Light Novel
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Slice of Life
Number of Episodes: 12
Plot Summary:
Takumi Kayano, a 28-year-old office worker, finds himself thrust into an extraordinary situation when a god accidentally kills him and, in an attempt to compensate, sends him to another world. Unfortunately for Takumi, the god’s clumsiness doesn’t end there. Instead of transporting him to a safe, idyllic place where he can enjoy his new life, Takumi is dropped in the middle of a dangerous forest. During his struggle to adapt, he stumbles upon a pair of children. They don’t speak, but Takumi quickly realizes they need someone to take care of them. However, these aren’t ordinary kids. They’re shockingly strong, effortlessly defeating monstrous creatures with little to no effort. Despite their apparent abilities, Takumi feels responsible for them and decides to look after them as if they were his own, leading to a new chapter in his life in a foreign world.
At first glance, A Journey Through Another World: Raising Kids While Adventuring feels like it could offer an intriguing blend of the isekai (another world) genre with elements of slice-of-life family bonding. The setup is fairly standard for an isekai: a protagonist is transported to another world due to a divine mistake. However, the twist of being paired with two mysteriously powerful children adds an element of curiosity.
Takumi’s initial reaction to being killed and sent to another world is surprisingly nonchalant. The show bypasses any real emotional weight about his previous life or death. This detachment may be intentional—perhaps to emphasize the show’s lighter, more comedic tone—but it also feels like a missed opportunity to explore Takumi’s psyche or his reflections on the life he left behind. Right from the outset, you understand that this anime isn’t aiming for a deep or reflective narrative. Instead, it seems content with providing a laid-back, low-stakes story where the focus is more on Takumi’s new day-to-day life as an adventurer and father figure.
The premise of taking care of two children while adventuring offers potential for comedy, heartwarming moments, and action. However, the show’s execution doesn’t quite live up to these possibilities. The two children, despite their mysterious abilities, don’t have much personality beyond being cute and occasionally helpful. The power imbalance—where the children can take down giant monsters with ease—also removes any real sense of danger or adventure. Instead of feeling like Takumi is in a precarious world, the show opts to focus on slice-of-life moments, where he integrates into the local community and the kids learn about human society.
One of the most immediate and glaring weaknesses of the show is its bland art style. Visually, A Journey Through Another World doesn’t stand out in any meaningful way. Takumi’s design is painfully generic, especially in a genre overcrowded with protagonists who all seem to look alike. He’s the typical black-haired, nondescript lead, and nothing about his appearance sets him apart from other similar characters in other isekai anime. The lack of visual creativity extends to the world-building as well. The backgrounds, towns, and environments feel uninspired and don’t provide the viewer with a strong sense of immersion.
Similarly, the animation fails to leave an impression. While the show isn’t action-heavy, there are moments when the characters face off against monsters, and even these scenes fall flat. The action sequences lack dynamism, with little emphasis on fluid motion or impactful choreography. While it’s clear that the anime isn’t aiming to be a high-octane action series, the animation quality still feels below par, even for its more relaxed, slice-of-life scenes.
A good soundtrack can elevate an anime, adding depth and emotion where the visuals and writing might falter. Unfortunately, that’s not the case here. The soundtrack for A Journey Through Another World is forgettable at best. The music is generic, often fading into the background without enhancing the atmosphere or tone of the scenes. For a show that seems to focus on creating a relaxed, enjoyable experience, the lack of a distinctive soundtrack is a missed opportunity. The opening and ending themes are similarly uninspiring, blending in with the dozens of other isekai shows that share similar musical choices.
Character development is another area where the anime stumbles. Takumi, the protagonist, is easygoing to a fault. He seems remarkably unconcerned with being thrust into a new world, and while his laid-back attitude might be part of the show’s charm, it also makes him feel shallow. There’s no emotional depth or internal conflict. He just accepts his new role without much question or reflection, and that lack of introspection makes him hard to relate to as a character.
The children, who are supposed to be a central element of the show, are equally underdeveloped. Initially, their silence and mysterious origins make them somewhat intriguing, but that intrigue quickly fades as they remain one-dimensional. Their role in the narrative seems to be primarily for comic relief and cuteness, but their lack of distinctive personalities makes them feel like props rather than actual characters. They serve the plot without adding much to it in terms of emotional weight or growth.
The show tries to sell itself as a relaxing, slice-of-life adventure, and to its credit, it succeeds in creating a low-stakes atmosphere. The problem, however, is that it doesn’t do much else. While slice-of-life anime can be great at capturing the beauty of everyday moments, there’s very little here that feels meaningful or engaging. Takumi and the children go through the motions of settling into their new life, but without any real conflict or emotional stakes, it’s hard to stay invested. The show offers comfort, but it lacks the depth needed to make that comfort feel rewarding.
A Journey Through Another World: Raising Kids While Adventuring* sets out to be a light, feel-good anime that offers a mix of adventure and family bonding, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. The bland art style, lackluster animation, and forgettable soundtrack all detract from what could have been a charming series. The characters, particularly the children, are underdeveloped, and the overall plot lacks any real tension or depth.
If you’re looking for a relaxing watch with minimal conflict, this anime might provide some mild entertainment. However, for fans of the isekai genre who are seeking more substance, emotional engagement, or even just a more dynamic world, there are far better options available. I won’t be continuing this series, as it feels too shallow to warrant further investment.
